How to Select the Right Mobile App Development Company?

There’s a problem of plenty when it comes to the availability of app development companies. The internet will give you a list of developers that’s a yard long. The problem lies in selecting one that is just right for you and your business needs. You don’t want a partner that slips on delivery deadlines, gives you shoddy, compromised work together with other unpleasant surprises. More importantly, you need an app development company that knows the apps business inside out. Which apps are likely to work and which will end up as duds on the apps store. You need to do thorough homework and spend a good time on evaluating potential developers before you hone onto one that not only has great creative ideas but also the technical skills and expertise to help you build your business and maximize revenues.

Insist on client references to check
At the pitching stage, ask the potential mobile app developer for existing and lapsed client references and the permission to speak to them. Their feedback is important as you will get a fair idea of what the developer can deliver basis their actual experiences. Probe for areas where the developer is strong as well as areas where they could be better. Ask both the developer and the past clients about the reasons for their break-up.

Check out their apps
During the evaluation stage, be sure to get a list of clients and the apps developed by the apps developer for them. Check the authenticity of the app with the relevant client. Does the developer have a good, diverse portfolio? Download the apps and test them for yourself. Do they incorporate a great idea, do they look great in terms of design and most importantly do they work well with great interfaces for a great user experience? Don’t look at the coding only. Look at the entire product in terms of idea, design, coding, and functionality and user experience. Remember the words of Amit Kalantri “To assess the quality of thoughts of people, don't listen to their words, but watch their actions.” Check out the resources and work process of the app developer.

Before you select your app developer, it is important to check out their manpower resources and the work process followed. Where possible, a visit to their office is a great idea. Check out the number of employees, the mix of senior and junior developers and the IT and communication infrastructure in the office. Are the software developers certified? Are there enough analysts and UX experts around? A partner that outsources the work is not a good sign. If possible, meet the team that will work on your projects, if you were to award the business. Will they work well together with your team? Is the relationship likely to be durable? Understand the range of services offered by the developer. What is the product development process they follow? All these checks are vital as they impact the agility of your new partner in terms of response times and problem solving. You are more likely to get your apps developed on time and developed right.

Look for good warranty clauses
Look for good warranty clauses in your contract, particularly warranties related to timely delivery, budgets, testing and possible bugs in the final product developed. If the developer is keen on winning your business, you can even ask for special clauses to be included.

Reputations are built on timeliness
Punctuality and turning up on time for meetings is one thing. Actions and delivering apps on time is quite another. Check out what the other clients of the app development company have to say about the company’s record of delivering on time. Before appointing your new partner, discuss what penalties can be built into the contract for project delays.

Buying cheap can turn out to be very expensive
Don’t go by the price alone. Cheap app developers are available a dime a dozen. They are likely to let you down in a crunch. Developers who are rich in skills and experience cost money and very often, they are the ones who are more likely to give you great products. You don’t want to end up hiring and paying a new app developer again because the cheaper one failed to deliver to your expectations.

If you spend time on checking out all these aspects of your developer before awarding the contract, chances are you will get good products on time and a good night’s sleep!